Product handling apparatus



United States Patent Primary Examiher-Samih H. Zaharna [72] Inventor Robert W. Clyne 5701 SW Chm "li b Attorney-Pendleton, Neuman, and Anderson 60626 1969 ABSTI IACT: An apparatus is provided for mechanically Patented 0d 27 1970 removing oils and floating non-adherent emulsions from waste water subsequent to the latter attaining a substantially quiescent state and the oils and emulsions thereof having been [54] PRODUCT HANDLING APPARATUS treated with a preferential absorbent material to form non- 6 Claim 3 Drawing Figs floating masses. The apparatus includes an elongated horizontally disposed planar member mounted within a reservoir and U-S- beneath the level of the substantially quiescent waste [51] Bold 17/02 water accumulated within the reservoir. The planar member is OfSQIrch disposed between a water inlet and a water outlet for the 526 reservoir and is adapted to have deposited thereon the nonfloating masses. A conveyor means having a plurality of elon- [561 References Cited gated flights is also provided wherein the flights thereof en- UNITED TAT PATENTS gage and move across the planar member carrying therewith 2,861,688 I l/ 1958 Harms 210/298 the deposited masses and discharging same at a predetermined 3,221,885 l2ll965 Hirs 210/298 discharge station.

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Sheet 2 of 2 Im/emor Eaberf (U, 6/ me 55 Pend/efon, eaman, 521 50/4 I (UH/isms ##arflgs PRODUCT HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various apparatus have heretofore been provided which, however, because of certain dcsign characteristics are ineffective in removing both oils and floating nonadhcrent emulsions from waste water, have low capacities, and/or are costly to in stall and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which is not beset with the shortcomings of the prior apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which may be readily installed in existing reservoirs, sump tanks, or the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of handling oils and floating nonadherent emulsions as well as various solids which are entrained in the waste water.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus of the type described is provided which includes a reservoir having a water inlet and a water outlet. The reservoir is provided with means for maintaining the waste water at a predetermined first level while at a substantially quiescent state within the reservoir. Disposed therein and at a predetermined second level, which is in close proximity to but beneath said first level, is an elongated horizontally disposed planar member. The planar member is positioned between the water inlet and outlet and has mounted along the elongated edge thereof closest to the water outlet, an upright partition which extends from the second level above the level of the accumulated waste water. The upright partition and planar member cooperate with one another to form a collection area wherein the oils and floating emulsions are corralled and subsequently treated with an absorbent material causing nonfloating masses to form which become deposited on the planar member. A vertical ramp is provided which is disposed adjacent one side wall of the reservoir and extends upwardly to an elevated discharge station. The lower end of the ramp is connected to an adjacent end of the planar member by a curved plate section. A power-actuated conveyor means is also provided which includes a plurality of elongated flights which are adapted to successively engage the deposited masses and move same across the planar member, over the curved plate section, and then up the ramp to the discharge station.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

HO. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of one form of the improved apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, one form of the improved apparatus is shown which includes a reservoir or tank 11 formed in the illustrated embodiment of reinforced concrete and having a substantial portion thereof recessed with respect to the ground surface. if desired, however, the entire reservoir may be disposed above ground. The reservoir 11 has an end wall 12 provided with a waste water inlet 13 and the opposite end wall 14 provided with a water outlet 15. The interior surface of end wall 12 is inclined downwardly at a substantial angle as seen in FIG. 2. Intermediate the end walls 12 and 14 may be provided an upright auxiliary wall 16. The side of the wall 16 adjacent the inlet 13 is also partially inclined downwardly but at a lesser angle than end wall 12. End walls 12 and 14 and auxiliary wall 16 are interconnected at their corresponding opposite ends by side walls 17 and 18.

Disposed within reservoir 11 is a first frame assembly 20 which includes an elongated horizontally disposed planar member 21, a vertically extending ramp 22, and a curved plate section 23 which interconnects the lower end of ramp 22 with the adjacent end of the planar member 21. The planar member 21 is adjustably'supported in a substantially horizon tal plane by a pair of elongated, substantially parallel support members 24, at least one end of each being preferably secured to side wall 17 of the reservoir 11. if desired, however, the frame assembly 20 may be supported within the reservoir by other means than that shown.

Cooperating with and mounted on frame 20 is a conveyor assembly 25 which includes a pair of endless chains 26 interconnected to one another by a plurality of elongated, spaced, parallel, transversely extending flights 27. Each flight has the elongated axis thereof disposed normal to the direction of movement of the chains and each flight has a length which corresponds substantially to the width of the planar member Mounted on frame 20 and adjacent the elongated side of the planar member 21 disposed closest to outlet 15 is an upright partition or baffle 28. The partition 28, planar member 21, and walls 17 and 18 of the reservoir cooperate with one another to form a collection area A in which the oils and emulsions of the inflowing waste water are corralled. It will be noted that planar member 21 is spaced inwardly from the inlet 13 so that any heavy solids entrained in the inflowing waste water will gravitate along the inclined wall surface to the bottom of the reservoir. The planar member is normally immersed approximately 1% inches beneath the level of the accumulated waste water when the water inflow rate is approximately 1000 gpm. Where the inflow rate is increased the immersion depth of planar member is normally increased (e.g. inflow rate 2000 gpm, immersion depth approx Suitable means 24' may be provided to permit vertical adjustment of the support members 24.

Once the oils and floating nonadherent emulsions of the inflowing waste water have been corralled in area A, a preferential absorbent material (e.g. sawdust) is spread over the surface of the waste water disposed within area A. The corralled oils and emulsions coact with the absorbent material to form nonfloating masses which deposit on the adjacent planar member surface. To prevent entrapment of any oils or emulsions beneath the planar member 21, the support member 24 disposed closest to the inlet 13 is provided with weep holes through which the oils and emulsions may pass.

The partition 28, if desired, may be provided with a depending portion 28a which terminates a predetermined distance above the bottom of the reservoir. Partition portion 28a serves to prevent or minimize the migration of the oils and emulsions downstream of the frame 20.

The flights 27 of conveyor assembly 25 are adapted to succcssively engage the nonfloating masses deposited on planar member 21 and move same thereacross, over the curved surface of plate section 23 and then up vertical ramp 22 to an elevated discharge station S, see FIG. 3. The pair of chains 26 and flights 27 carried thereby are directed through the aforedescribed segments of travel by a plurality of sprockets 30a-c. Sprocket 30a is preferably driven by a suitable motor 31 which is mounted on a bracket 32 extending from frame 20.

After each flight has deposited its waste masses at the discharge station S, the flight moves about the sprocket periphery and then downwardly in a catenary path to idler sprocket 30b. The operation of motor 31 may be controlled by a suitable timing mechanism, not shown, so as to coincide with the waste water inflow.

Resting upon the bottom of reservoir 11 and in vertical alignment with frame 20 is a second frame 120. Frames 20 and are of like construction and therefore corresponding parts thereof will be numbered the same except in the case of frame 120 the numbers will be in the one hundred series. In frame 120 the vertical ramp 122 thereof is disposed adjacent the opposite reservoir wall 18, as seen more clearly in FIG. 3. it will 130d. t 1 t Upon-theflights l27 le'aving sprocket 130b,-eachengages i the; waste solids which have gravitated to and accumulated on plafnar memberlZl. As-ea'ch flightfmoves from sprocket 1301 i H ;be-noted the form of the improved apparatus shown '1 3 thatthelength of frame planar; member 211 is foreshortened 7 an amount sufficient topermit the verticalramp 122 of frame .120 to pass upwardly between the end of planarfmember 21 n andthe reservoir wallils.

; Cooperating with frame 120 which is of substantially the same construction as conveyor as- 1 sembly 25, exceptiin assembly 125as each,flightfll27,,.sub-;

sequentto passing'over drive sprocket; la, is guide dvertiQ cally downwardly in a plane parallel to the reservoir wall 18, andthen horizontally to idler sprocket 13%; The change in y direction of the depending flight 12710 the horizontal may be is a conveyorlassembly 1Z5 A preferential absorbent material whereby the oils and floating] emulsions coact with said material to form nonfloating masses,

' said apparatus comprising a reservoiriin which the waste water 4 i is accumulated and assumes the substantially quiescent state;: a water inlet at one end of the reservoir; means for retaining the accumulated water 'at a predetermined first level; an elongated horizontallyextending planarmember disposed at a f predetermined second level incloseproximity to but:beneath accomplished ,byan additional spring loaded idler sprocket tovsprocket 130b,- the engaged masses move therewith and :then the loaded flight moves1overthe curved surface of;plate section 123 andu p ramp l22 to a secondelevated discharge station Y'. i

said first level and on which the nonfloating masses are collected, said planar] member spanning substantiallythe distance i t between the sides of'thereservoir interconnecting the ends fthereofand being positioned intermediate said water inlet and outlet; a partition disposed adjacent th'e'elongated side of said planar member adjacent the water; outlet and projecting up wardly from said second level and substantiallyabove said first level, said partition and planar member cooperating to form a collection area forthe oils andfloating emulsions of the inflow waste water andprior to the oils and emulsions being treated with the absorbent material; a vertically extending ramp disposed adjacent one side of 'theireservoir connecting the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom to an elevated dischargestation, the lower edge of said vertical ramp being connected to the adjacent edge of the planar member by a curved sectiomand power-actua't'ed conveyor means having a jaccnt planar member 121 is open permitting the waste solids, 1

to readily gravitate to the planar member, see FIG. 2.

'When theinflowwasteqwater does not have entrainedej voir sides.

therein'solids (elg. metal chips or filings), the second frame:

'3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said partition includes a 120 and associated conveyor assembly 125 may be omitted;

The level of the waste water inthe reservoir :11 may be conplurality of flights mounted for successively engaging the collected nonfloating masses and moving same across said planarv member, around said curved section, and up said vertical ramp to said discharge station.

2. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said planar member-is supportedby and is vertically adjustablerelative tosaid reseri section depending'from said secondlevel and terminating a trolled by a suitable pump P located withinthe area between ,3

auxiliaryiwall '16 and wall l4..The top of wall-l6, itwillbef noted, is beneath the level of the accumulated waste waterland;

prevents further migration of the solids pastthe wall 16. The

discharge; from the pump is directed out throughoutlet ls. Suitable control means, not shown,]may be provided for pump 'P to effect automatic operation thereof and thus maintainlthe accumulated waste level at a predetermined level within the reservoir. Various otherj means besides pump P may be eni ployed, if desired, tomaintain the accumulated waste water at I apredetermined level. r L

Thusyit will be seen that a simple and effective apparatus has beenprovided for theremoval of oils and floating nonadherent emulsions'and the-like from waste water. The ap- 1 I paratus is capable of being readily installedin various typesof.

reservoirs, sump tanks, etc. and is adaptedto havela capacity capable of handling volumes of water varying over a wide range and havingentrained therein nonfloatable waste products.

lclaimz 1. An apparatus for removing oils and floating nonadherenti i emulsions from waste water subsequent to the latter assuming j .50 a variety offloatable and a substantially quiescent state and a predetermined portion of Y thesurface of the. quiescent water being treated with a predetermined distance fromathelbottom of the reservoir wherebyonly substantiallyoil-free water and emulsion-free water iscaused to flow therebeneath. 7

4. Theapparatu's of claim 1 wherein each flight has a length substantially coextensive with the width of said planar,

member.

7 5. The apparatus of claim ,1 including an elongated horizontally extending second planar member disposed beneath said first mentioned planar. member and on which wastesolids are adjacent edge of the second planar member by a second curved section; and a second power-actuated conveyor means having a, plurality of flights mounted for successively engaging the collected waste solids and moving same across said second planar member, around saidsecond curvedsection, and up said second ramp to said second discharge station.

6. The apparatus of claim ,5 wherein said second planar I j member is disposed adjacent the bottom of said reservoir and said first and second planar members are in registered relation with respect to one another.

UNITED STA'L CS PATENT ()FMQE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIQN October 27, 197

Patent No. 3,3 .Imtcd Invcntufls) Robert W. Clyne It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' On title page right-hand column, line 2 The attorneys should be cori'ected to indicate Pendleton, Neumen,

Williams 80 Anderson Column 2, line 3 K change to-- 2! menu) mu SEALED $2.2; 1 EdwardM-flewhor,lr m 8, I m- Gomissinm 01' Patent: 

